how to check for infertility

When you have been trying to conceive via natural means without any success, it is a “sign” of infertility.

However, it is not a cause for worry. Most issues are treatable, with much advancement in medicine and ART-assisted reproductive technology.

When a woman fails to conceive, one-third of the time the cause is female infertility, one-third it’s a male component and the rest is a combination of male and female factors.

You cannot diagnose it completely on your own but can do a little homework. Look for the following symptoms as indicators & address the problem accordingly.

5 Common Signs of Infertility in Women

1.  Not Conceiving

If you are a healthy woman below 35 years and do not conceive within a year of trying, it may be a sign of infertility. In case you are above 35, then the time period comes down to 6 months before you consult a fertility specialist in Ludhiana.

The cause may be a hormonal imbalance. Your doctor can diagnose the issue and give suitable treatment.

2.  Hormonal Imbalance

An abnormal quantity of female sex hormones is an underlying cause of infertility which has the following signs:

• Severe acne
• Loss of libido or interest in sex
• facial hair
• Baldness or thinning hair on top of the head
• Unreasonable weight gain

Watch out for these symptoms, says Dr. Shivani Bhutani. Any of the above symptoms are signs of hormonal imbalance in women.

3. Abnormal Periods

Any major irregularity in periods is a basic sign of infertility. Regular periods are indicators of a healthy reproductive system. The unpredictable period cycle could be PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hormone imbalance.

Extremely painful, extended, and heavy periods can be due to endometriosis- a condition where the tissues found in the uterus lining get inflamed or grow outside the uterus.

4. Pain During Intercourse

Do you know that painful sexual intercourse can be a sign of infertility? Several women might think it normal, but painful sex is an indicator of endometriosis, hormonal imbalance, or other underlying causes that affect the ability to conceive.

Do consult your doctor when you experience pain every time.

Unusual Menstrual Discharge

The color of the blood discharge in periods can provide indicators of infertility issues. A normal discharge is red in the beginning, becoming darker towards the end of the period.

When it is too dark at the start, it may be a sign of endometriosis. Pale yellow discharge is a cause for concern too.

5 Common Signs of Infertility in Men

1. Changes in Libido

Diminished or loss of sexual desire may very well be a sign of infertility in men. Fertility, hormonal health, and libido are interrelated. A shift in virility is an indicator of fertility issues.

2. Small Testicles or Scrotum Swelling

The testicles contain sperm, so their health is important for male fertility. small, hard, swollen, or painful testicles are pointers towards reproductive abnormality.

The causes can be several. It may be due to. Infection, injury, hormonal imbalance, or a side effect of medical treatment undergone in the past.

Your infertility specialist can clinically examine the condition and suggest treatment.

3. Erectile Dysfunction

Issues of having and maintaining an erection by a male are a sign of inadequate hormone levels. Testosterone can impact the production of semen and sexual intercourse both, which eventually may translate into infertility.

However, your doctor can provide good solutions for a healthy erection.

4. Ejaculation Problem

Incapability to ejaculate is a clear sign that you consult an infertility specialist. Problems with ejaculation can prevent semen from entering the vagina.

Ejaculation issues can be varied. The lesser volume of semen, or semen entering the bladder instead of coming out, are some.

Conditions such as spinal injury, diabetes, medications, and surgery of bladder, prostate, or urethra may be a cause.

5. Hormonal Imbalance

There are several signs that a man is experiencing an imbalance of hormones. A multitude of hormones governs the reproductive health in males apart from testosterone.

Infertility may result from a deficiency of LH and FSH, two hormones produced by the pituitary gland.

These two stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and sperm. A fall in LH and FSH levels lowers both, causing infertility.